Validity and Reliability Analysis Among Three Different Fat Assessment Methods in Trained Indian Male Athletes

Background: The present study aims to investigate the criterion validity and reliability of three different BF% assessing methods i.e., skinfold caliper (SF), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and air-displacement plethysmography (BOD POD). Methods: Present study was conducted on 51 trained male Indian athletes (aged: 19 - 29 years). The BF% was measured via SF, BIA, and BOD POD with standard protocol. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: The BF% from BIA was reported significantly (p < 0.001) higher than skinfold (∆ 28.7%), and BOD POD (∆ 25.4%). Very good reliability was found for BOD POD vs skinfold [with ICC = 0.891 (0.809-0.938)] and good reliability for Skinfold vs BIA [ICC = 0.669 (-0.207 – 0.895)] and BIA vs BOD POD [ICC = 0.736 (-0.164 – 0.912)]. Pearson’s correlation depicted a positive correlation among various BF% methods (Pearson’s r varies = 0.800 to 0.849; p < 0.01).Limits of agreement were reported significant for skinfold vs BIA (p < 0.001, β= -0.530), and BOD POD vs skinfold (p < 0.01, β= 0.453). Conclusion: Validity analysis depicts that BIA overestimates BF% in male athletes compared to BOD POD and SF methods. All BF% methods were found reliable although BOD POD vs Skinfold depicted major reliability (ICC = 0.891) over other methods.